Did anyone use a doula? Are you planning on using one for your current or next pregnancy?

Jacqui

I had a doula...I'm not sure whether I'll use one for a future pregnancy, but I probably would.

I'm not planning on using one for this pregnancy. It's something to consider for the future though.

I am planning on using one not so much during my pregnancy, but during the actual birth.

I am a Doula ....;) And I plan on using one, but she is my SIL...so I think it would be a little different if it was someone who wasn't family.

My mom is a doula and I used her for my labour. I would do it again in a heartbeat, she really got me through it.:nod:

How great to have a mom who is a doula! I'm way jealous! :)

I had a doula who was great! I ended up having a c-section (breech baby with cord wrapped around her neck and abdomen, as well as meconium staining....), but she was able to be with me when my DH wasn't, like when they prepped me for surgery, and she stayed with me while DH was with the baby when she was being weighed and measured and having her stomach pumped and I was moved to recovery. It was so great to have her with me!

If I have a VBAC, I would certainly have her with me again! :)

I am going to take the training class to be a Doula in March. I didn't use one for this birth though. At the beggining of my pregnancy I didn't understand a lot of what a doula did and just wanted it to be me and DH. We considered getting a doula for a while but when we switched to the Birth center we decided against we just had to much going on switching care providers at 30 weeks (although it was the best decision we could have made) In the end we did okay my husband was so well educated that he was just awesome to me!!! I love birth and the process and hope to be able to support other couples.

I have been involved in the birth of two babies lately (my sister's and a good friend's) and my mom just suggested that since I love it so much, and want to go into nursing, maybe I should be a doula! I think I'll be checking into it! Just seems like such a rewarding prefession. It's great to hear that people enjoy their doula experience! :)

Amy

I'd check out the website http://www.dona.org to find out more info on how to become a doula. :)

I had a doula with my first! She was there the whole labor. Well, she was there for at least 12 hours. She was awesome! She was worth every cent we paid her! I really recommend having one. She helped us in so many ways. Even if you go to the classes, you still are a lot less prepared than someone who has done this with many different women and knows techniques that you don't.

I ended up having a C-section also. She came in with me. Then afterward, she helped me with nursing. She stayed for so much! I loved having her there!

I would definitely hire her again, although I think I will be having another C-section so I'm guessing we won't have her. I would highly reccommend her to anyone and everyone!

I never considered a doula for my first... and I haven't for this one either. My DH is SO amazing and such a wonderful support.. There every second... I couldn't ask for better support. Sigh. I sure LOVE him... (gush)... Sorry :blush:

I am a certified doula and I had a doula at my last birth which was a successful VBAC :)

Christina! I would love to hear more about your experiences!

Why did you choose to be a doula? What did you feel that you needed a doula at your last birth?

My hubby and I were just talking about this the other day that we want to have a doula for our second birth. I went without a epidural and hubby was great but he was very worn out since it was in the middle of the night and so we would love to have a doula to help assist so hubby could get some rest and take care of Ethan until we get a family member in town to take Ethan.


Lisa

We're using a doula for this pregnancy/birth, and so far, I'm thrilled with our decision. I'm glad to see the stories from those of you who had C-sections and were still glad to have had your doula there. That's the one thing I've been unsure of--if I wind up needing a C-section, will I regret hiring her. But it sounds like the answer is no.

Now I just have to make sure this baby stays put till Jan. 1, since our doula is out of town till then!

Kate

I had one with my first. She is a friend of the family who is an OB nurse at the hospital that I delivered at. It was so calming to know that somebody was there who knows whats going on and made sure the nurses took good care of us

I am in training to become a doula. I will be using a doula with my next delivery!

I didn't have one for my first, but I do think they're a great option! I don't know if I would have one for my second. My first labour was relatively short, and I didn't want to be touched, or spoken to during contractions. It just kind of makes me wonder if I would really benefit from one. Then agian, each labour is different, so who knows? I think that having a PP doula would be great with #2. Something to consider. What I would like is for my sister to give me a Theraputic Touch treatment during labour, since there does not have to be any actual physical touching involved.

Sarah

Hopefully, I will be finished with my doula training by the end of the spring:)